HOME ONCE MORE, AND RETURN TO AFRICA. 1 49 
a profession — i.e.^ to have their names down, who have 
not thought why they want it. This of course was to 
be expected. As, with many, this name-entering 
gave a wrong impression, we are now more reserved, 
and only enter those who appear to understand and 
to mean what they say, sending the rest away after a 
little talk and prayer with them, and encouraging 
them to come again. Perhaps 50 out of the 200 
really desire to follow Christ and are more or less 
earnest; and of these 50, it may be 12 or 20 have 
given themselves to Christ and taken Him as their 
Saviour and Master — -although there is still much 
need for instruction, for they have not listened to 
God's truth in the past as they listen now. We feel 
it necessary, however, to let the life confirm the lip 
before baptising. Our brightest and best and most 
satisfactory are Matoka and D. Miguel. The king's 
wives, many of them, seem sincere inquirers ; many 
young men appear to be strongly decided to live the 
Christian life ; and, as you may expect, many of our 
boys— among them, Malevo, Kavungu, Kivitidi, and 
Matata. With many of these — all the special ones— 
I have had careful talks, and feel satisfied. Oh ! San 
Salvador is changed ! To speak at those meetings 
was glorious, and filled me with joy and hope for our 
Congo Mission. As to the poor old king, the priests 
frighten, threaten, bribe, flatter, and seem to have 
their way with him almost entirely. He has taken 
to a little mild persecution, which of course does good. 
Yes, poor Don Pedro has greatly changed. We are 
praying especially for him you may be sure." 
Immediately after the date of this letter, Mr. 
Comber intended to start with Mr. and Mrs, 
Moolenaar for Wathen, but was detained at Under- 
hill on account of Mr. Darling's health. Mr. 
Shindler, too, the other missionary in charge, 
became ill, and, to his inexpressible grief, all that 
Mr. Comber could do failed to preserve their precious 
lives ; and three weeks later his trials were further 
